Peter Dutton defends Sri Lankan hopefuls’ high-seas handover

AUTHORITIES stopped an asylum-seeker boat west of Christmas Island and gave four Sri Lankans back to their government in a swift high-seas transfer.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says not one of four Sri Lankans handed back was deemed a genuine refugee.

AUSTRALIAN authorities stopped an asylum-seeker boat west of Christmas Island more than 10 days ago and gave four Sri Lankans back to their government in a swift high-seas transfer.

Labor was quick to attack the move, questioning how thoroughly the refugee claims of the asylum-seekers were assessed, given that the process took place very quickly and on water.

The vessel was first intercepted northwest of the Cocos Islands on February 9 by Border Protection Command, with the Sri Lankans being handed back on Tuesday.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton revealed yesterday that separate interviews were con­­duct­ed by “trained protection officers”, supported by interpreters, with all four Sri Lankans on board the Border Protection Command vessel.

None of the Sri Lankans was deemed a genuine refugee. Mr Dutton used the operation to highlight the co-operation between Australian and Sri Lankan authorities.

In a statement late yesterday, he said all four asylum-seekers were safe and accounted for at all times. “By working closely with our regional partners, we save lives at sea and prevent vulnerable ­people being lied to and ripped off by people-smugglers,” he said.

“Anyone attempting to enter Australia illegally by sea will never be resettled in this country.”

“The Coalition government’s policies and resolve are stopping illega­l boat arrivals and are restoring integrity to Australia’s borders and immigration program.”

A spokesman for Mr Dutton confirmed the boat was the first to arrive since his appointment as minister at the end of last year.

The opposition’s immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, said the government needed to provide an assurance Australia was meeting international obligations and that people were not returned to a situation where they faced harm.

“We also have concerns about the fairness and thoroughness of the assessment of asylum-seeker claims made while at sea,” he said.